The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-09

scented in banks, corporations ard manufacto
ries. But said he s'the very people we ought
to benefit are those who are ultimately injured
by disturbing capital" Every large interest was
comprehended in this bill except railroads, whose
companies employ more men than all others
combined. He wanted to know why an excep
ton should be made of the railroads Again,
the bill does not permit employees to make such
contracts which they deem best for their inter-
ests. Are the workingmen sufficiently intelli-
work by the piece or the day2 Tho trouble
was that the political parties had
started in on with this class
Of legislation, fearful that one would get an adj
vantage of the other in catering to prejudices
and sentiments that would secure their votes.
$50 to the bottom of all this" he continued,
land you will find the basest demacogy. The
workipgmen are intelligent. They are not blind,
and, in the end, will measure according to it's
worth the motive that impels the offering Of
bills like these They will see that no one party
shall get the benefit of it. If we had less party
and less partisanship it would be grand thing
for the country. There is too much party and
and too little country. There is danger in the
bad effect of this pernicious legislation. 1t
will do more harm than good" After
several other Senators had spoken in favor
OF the bill, Senator Weir returned to
the charge with an energy that brought Senator
Bailey to his feet with IT want to know if the
gentleman in voting for the Barrett bill the 9TH
er day did so as demagogue or through sincere
motivesl
1.-THE Senator from Marion" Senator Weir re-
piled, 'sees fit to call my attention to that vote.
did vote for the Barrett bill, but with the pu-
pose of moving its reconsideration. That mo-
| ton is now part of the record of the Senate. l
! am willing to stand by what l have said and
done, and 60 before the people to let them judge
between the Senator from Marion and me as to
| who is the greatest demagogue" Senator Bailey
had no reply ready, and retired to medi-
| tate upon the harsh Judgment of
even party friends. Senator Sellers
wanted the bill recommitted to special conn nit
| tee for further amendment by inserting the
words, employing day laborers." The friends
OF the measure thought this would kill it eff
| fectually as if it were voted down and defeated
the proposition. On the passage of the bill 90
yeas were recorded and IA nays. Of these five
were Democrats, Day, Hale, Peterson. Urmston
and Weir, and nine Republicans, Davis. De-
Motto, Duncan, of Upton, Harness, Huston,
| johnson, Schroyer Sears and Thompson, of
| Jasper, who thought that the object sought had
been attained in the Barrett bin. That and the
| measure thus passed are nearly the same, ex-
cept that the Jewett bill confines its operations
to employers engaged in mining coal, or
other mineral, or quarrying stone, or
IN manufacturing iron, steel, lumber,
| slaves, heading, barrels, brick, tile, ma
| chinery, agricultural or mechanical implements
| or any article of merchandise. 1t makes it mis-
demeanor for any employer so mentioned to pub
fish, issue or circulate any check card or other
paper which is not commercial paper payable at
fixed time, in any bank in this State at its full
face value. ia lawful money of the United
States, with per cent interest, or by bank
| check currency issued by authority of the
| United States government, to any employe of
| such person, copartnership corporation or asso-
| citation in payment for any work or labor done
| by such employee. or in payment for any labor
| contracted to be done by such employe. The
limit of penalty is 800 fine 1t also makes it I'M
| lawful for any employer. his officers or agents,
| to sell directly or indirectly to any Of his en-
| ployes any merchandise or supplies at higher
price than such merchandise or supplies are sold
by him to others for cash.
| The Senate was engaged with this subject
| about the time Representative Kellison was en-
Pertaining the House with his 6-perceut-interest
| bill He has been anxious for its passage be
| cause he regards it death blow ''to the extor.
ton and greed of money lenders" He wanted
his hearers to think that he did not attack the
| lenders of money but their system. His speech
was long, covering every possible phase of life in
| which he could picture the borrower of the
| money of the extortionate Insurer. Representa-
tive keison was very adroiti in this showing of his
cause. and did not miss the chance CT detailing
| what boon it would be to the poor il 6 per cent
| only could be charged. One rather i.aportant
against the bill discovered it until too late
| for effective use at that time. 1t will
probably be- mentioned this morning, as
| the discussion will be resumed as the unfinished
| business If the bill becomes law per cent.
| under all circumstances must be the legal inter
est. 1t will make no exceptions Whatever, and
any one who charges even per cent. will be in
danger of the usury laws. 1t not only applies 10
private transactions, but limits interest to GET
cent. upon every class of public financial trans
actions. So sweeping is the purpose of the bill
that the premium on building association loans
must be regarded as usury. 1t will subject
every association of this kind to the penalties
attached to the usury laws. which will tend, it is
urged, to destroy one of the best systems of saw
ings for the poor. Representative Kellison late
in the afternoon, was privately approached by
colleague with question to that effect He ad
mitted that the bill made no exception of build
ing associations, and that their interest and
premiums money we'll would within
the requirements of per cent and nc more
The discussion for and against the bill occupied
most of the afternoon session, leaving it ready
to come up to day on question Of passage.